The heritage walk is an activity that involves exploring and learning about historical and cultural sites in a particular area. It is an excellent way to understand the rich cultural heritage and history of a place and promotes a sense of connection with the past. As part of the Social Connect and Responsibility subject of the 3rd semester Engineering course conducted on 25 November 2022 by the CSE department of Proudha Devaraya Institute of Technology, the second module focuses on a heritage walk. In this program, all the students and teachers of PDIT visited the Great Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Great Hampi
Hampi is a small village located in the northern part of Karnataka, India. It was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most powerful empires in Indian history. The city flourished during the 14th and 15th centuries and was known for its grand architecture, magnificent temples, and vibrant culture.
The heritage walk in Hampi started at the Virupaksha Temple, a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to have been built in the 7th century and is one of the oldest functioning temples in India. The temple complex includes several smaller shrines, courtyards, and a massive gateway tower. The intricate carvings and sculptures in the temple are a testament to the artistic and architectural excellence of the Vijayanagara Empire.
As the walk progressed, the students and teachers visited several other important landmarks in Hampi, including the Lotus Mahal, the Hazara Rama Temple, and the Vittala Temple. The Lotus Mahal is a beautiful palace built in the Indo-Islamic architectural style. The palace has several arches and domes and is believed to have been a summer palace for the queen.
Heritage Walk to Hampi, conducted by the Proudhadevaraya Institute of Technology Hospete (PDIT). This unique experience is designed to take you on a journey through the past, to discover the rich culture and history of this magnificent ancient city.
Hampi, located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It was a prosperous city with magnificent palaces, temples, and other grand structures that were built during the reign of the Vijayanagara kings. Today, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the world who come to witness its incredible architecture and learn about its fascinating history.
The Heritage Walk to Hampi will take you through the various landmarks and monuments of this ancient city. You will witness the grandeur of the Virupaksha Temple, the largest and the oldest temple in Hampi. The temple has been in existence since the 7th century AD and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will be amazed by its intricate carvings and sculptures, which depict stories from Hindu mythology.
Next, you will visit the Vittala Temple, which is known for its iconic stone chariot and musical pillars. The temple was built during the reign of King Krishnadevaraya and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. You will also explore the Lotus Mahal, a beautiful palace that was once used by the royal women of the Vijayanagara empire.
As you walk through the city, you will come across several other interesting structures such as the Hazara Rama Temple, which is famous for its exquisite bas-reliefs, the elephant stables, the Queen's bath, and the Sasivekalu Ganesha, a towering statue of Lord Ganesha that is carved out of a single rock.
The Heritage Walk to Hampi is not just about visiting historical landmarks, but it also provides you with an opportunity to learn about the local culture and traditions. You will interact with the locals and understand their way of life, their customs, and their beliefs. You will also get to taste some of the local delicacies and learn about the local art and crafts.
In conclusion, the Heritage Walk to Hampi is an experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. It is an opportunity to step back in time and witness the glory of a bygone era. So, join us on this journey of discovery and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Hampi.,/font>
Temples in Hampi:
Hampi is world renowned for its historical ruins and heritage but the main highlight is the temples of Hampi. The beautiful temples of Hampi are located along the banks of River Tungabhadra for which the city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the city was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire - the largest empire post-Mughal era - be prepared to experience the grandeur and diversity of the temples in Hampi.
Achyutraya Temple:
Big Shivlinga
This Shivlinga is carved out of a single boulder and stands 3 meters tall in the middle of water. It is a significant Hampi attraction. The large Shivlinga, which is situated close to the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, is also the largest Shivlinga in Hampi. The Shiv Linga, carved from black stone, is thought to have existed since the Vijayanagara Empire.
The Shiva Linga's design eliminates the need for a ceiling, allowing light to fill the entire space. Additionally, a pedestal that is placed on a body of water with a channel running through it supports the Shiva linga.
Virupaksha Temple
On the banks of the Tungabhadra river in Hampi is the Virupaksha temple (also known as the Prasanna Virupaksha temple). The temple was built in the 7th century, and because of its stunning architecture and fascinating past, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is home to Lord Virupaksha, one of Lord Shiva's incarnations. Although it is now in Hampi, it used to be a smaller shrine in the heart of the illustrious and historic Vijayanagara empire. The temple's rich history is attested to by lovely stone inscriptions from the 7th century that can be found on its walls. If you're in Hampi, architecture and history buffs should definitely visit the temple!,br>
The temple has large gopurams that serve as entranceways to the inner sanctums, as is frequently observed in temples built in the south Indian architectural style. The gopurams open up to numerous interior passageways and rooms that are all adorned with elaborate stonework. Many different Gods and Goddesses are depicted in mythological tales on the sculptures. Lord Virupaksha is the temple's primary deity, but it is also home to a few other Hindu deities. The temple is less crowded outside of festival seasons like the Car Festival, when a lot of devotees visit.
On the banks of the Tungabhadra river in Hampi is the Virupaksha temple (also known as the Prasanna Virupaksha temple). The temple was built in the 7th century, and because of its stunning architecture and fascinating past, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is home to Lord Virupaksha, one of Lord Shiva's incarnations. Although it is now in Hampi, it used to be a smaller shrine in the heart of the illustrious and historic Vijayanagara empire. The temple's rich history is attested to by lovely stone inscriptions from the 7th century that can be found on its walls. If you're in Hampi, architecture and history buffs should definitely visit the temple!,br>
The temple has large gopurams that serve as entranceways to the inner sanctums, as is frequently observed in temples built in the south Indian architectural style. The gopurams open up to numerous interior passageways and rooms that are all adorned with elaborate stonework. Many different Gods and Goddesses are depicted in mythological tales on the sculptures. Lord Virupaksha is the temple's primary deity, but it is also home to a few other Hindu deities. The temple is less crowded outside of festival seasons like the Car Festival, when a lot of devotees visit.
Vithala Temple:
The most impressive structure in Hampi, the Vithala Temple dates back to the 16th century and is a truly splendid example of rich architecture. The famous stone chariot, which has become an iconic symbol of the architecture of Hampi, is located inside the premises of this temple.
The temple complex is spread over a huge area. The main gate has an impressive arch with carvings, and opens in a large courtyard which has the famous stone chariot in the center. The main temple is located just behind the chariot and has beautiful carvings. There are also several other smaller temples inside the courtyard, all of which are definitely worth a visit. The carvings on the walls/pillars of these structures depict various gods in different forms.
Kadalekalu Ganesh
Kadalekalu Ganesh is an important religious attraction in Hampi. The temple has traditional stone architecture and is located on Hemakuta Hill and has a huge 15 feet monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha which is a believed to be one of the largest in the world. The reason why the attraction is called Kadalekalu is because the belly of the deity is chiselled to look like Kadalekalu (Bengal gram).
Kadalekalu Ganesh is an important religious attraction in Hampi. The temple has traditional stone architecture and is located on Hemakuta Hill and has a huge 15 feet monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha which is a believed to be one of the largest in the world. The reason why the attraction is called Kadalekalu is because the belly of the deity is chiselled to look like Kadalekalu (Bengal gram).
Hazara Rama Temple
Hazara Rama Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Rama, is located in Hampi. The breathtaking view of the temple and its intricate carvings attract tourists from all over the world. From a distance, one will notice the beige granite temple under the clear blue skies. As you stroll leisurely through the magnificent temple complex, do make it a point to observe the extensively sculpted narrations of the Ramayana on its inner walls. One can notice the various avatars sculpted all over the temple and in numerous inscriptions. The intricate carvings of Gods and Goddesses on the brilliant structure are proof of cultural and religious significance in India.
The Hazara Rama Temple is a World Heritage monument that dates back to the 15th century and is located in the centre of the land area that belongs to the Royals. It is one of the most preferred locations for photography in Karnataka. Every picture that visitors capture here is a frame that locks in the beauty of the mesmerizing monument that will be cherished for life.
One can rent a bike at Hampi to explore the temple premises. The intricate craftsmanship depicts illustrations from the Ramayana. The magnificence of the temple complex and its surroundings were even featured in several Bollywood and Kannada films.
Sasivekalu Ganesh:
Sasivekalu Ganesh has a gigantic monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha. The statue is over 8 feet tall and was created in the memory of a Vijayanagara King - King Narasimha II. It is often associated with the legend of Ganesha when he tied a snake around his belly when his stomach was about to burst after he had consumed a lot of food. The snake can be clearly seen around Lord Ganesha's belly.
Benefits of the Heritage Walk:
The heritage walk in Hampi was an excellent opportunity for the students and teachers of PDIT to learn about the rich cultural heritage and history of India. It helped in promoting a sense of pride and connection with the past and instilled a sense of responsibility towards preserving and protecting historical sites.
The heritage walk also helped in promoting tourism and generating revenue for the local community. Hampi is a popular tourist destination and attracts visitors from all over the world. The heritage walk helped in showcasing the beauty and grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire and contributed to promoting the cultural heritage of India.
Conclusion:
The heritage walk in Hampi was an enriching and enlightening experience for the students and teachers of PDIT. It helped in promoting a sense of connection with the past and instilled a sense of responsibility towards preserving and protecting historical sites. Through this module, we hope to inspire more students to take up similar initiatives and make a positive impact on the world.
The heritage walk in Hampi was an excellent opportunity for the students and teachers of PDIT to learn about the rich cultural heritage and history of India. It helped in promoting a sense of pride and connection with the past and instilled a sense of responsibility towards preserving and protecting historical sites.
The heritage walk also helped in promoting tourism and generating revenue for the local community. Hampi is a popular tourist destination and attracts visitors from all over the world. The heritage walk helped in showcasing the beauty and grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire and contributed to promoting the cultural heritage of India.
Conclusion:
The heritage walk in Hampi was an enriching and enlightening experience for the students and teachers of PDIT. It helped in promoting a sense of connection with the past and instilled a sense of responsibility towards preserving and protecting historical sites. Through this module, we hope to inspire more students to take up similar initiatives and make a positive impact on the world.
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